Museum to be "river' for one night

Museum to be "river' for one night

Capitol Museum plans fall program

The Missouri Capitol Museum's west hall - the Resources Hall - turns into a "river" for several hours on Friday (Nov. 8).

"There will, actually, be real water - but, more than that I can't tell you," said Linda Endersby, the museum's director. "You'll have to come to find out."

The transformation occurs from 6-9:30 p.m. as the museum presents a program, "Exploring Missouri's Waterways."

"It's our annual fall event," Endersby said. "Last year, we did "Missouri the Cave State,' and we turned one of our galleries into a "cave' and they had that experience.

"This year, the Resources Hall will be turned into "wetlands.'

"The main event will be a river tour," she said, with "various other things having to do with Missouri's different waterways" as part of the evening's offerings.

"It will not just be focused on rivers," Endersby said.

Information and activities include rivers, streams, ponds, springs "and many other types of wetlands," she said. "It's a physical experience." And it's free. But you will need a ticket for the river trip.

"We had almost 500 people last year for the "Cave State,' so they'll come in, get information - and then they'll have to get tickets for their time, so that we take (only) so many people at one time."

The tour begins in the Capitol Rotunda, with people getting into the building through the carriage entrance under the south steps. People who have to wait before taking their "river trip" can explore the museum's east-side "History Hall," and meet with representatives of about a half-dozen groups that have to do with Missouri waters (including) the Stream Team and "Our Missouri Waters,' which is part of the Department of Natural Resources, Endersby said.

A representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also is expected to be among the groups with displays and interactives about Missouri's variety of waters.

"The first "tour' of the river starts at 6 o'clock," Endersby said. "The last tour is at 9 (p.m.)."Tours should take about a half hour, she said.